Charles L. McNary

Charles Linza McNary (12 June 1872-25 February 1944) was a US Senator from Oregon (R) from 29 May 1917 to 5 November 1918 (succeeding Harry Lane and preceding Frederick W. Mulkey) and from 18 December 1918 to 25 February 1944 (succeeding Mulkey and preceding Guy Cordon).

Biography
Charles L. McNary was born in Salem, Oregon in 1872, and he became a lawyer in 1898. McNary taught property law before becoming the dean of Willamette University College of Law in 1908. A supporter of progressive reforms such as the initiative, recall, referendum, primary elections, and the direct election of US Senators, he decided to stick with the Republican Party even after its split in 1910, and, from 1913 to 1914, he served on the Oregon Supreme Court. In 1916, he was elected chairman of the state Republican Party, and he united the progressive and conservative wings of the party. Following the death of Senator Harry Lane, McNary was appointed to serve as the temporary successor until Frederick W. Mulkey was elected to serve out the rest of Lane's term. In December 1918, McNary was re-elected, and he served as Senator until his death during a brain tumor surgery in 1944. McNary supported many New Deal programs at the start of the Great Depression, legislation that led to the construction of the Bonneville Dam, and agricultural and forestry issues.